Masahiro Tanaka tossed a bullpen session on the 13th: five to a standing catcher and twenty-three to a squatting catcher (including breaking pitches). Pitching coach Larry Rothschild watched over the session; Francisco Cervelli caught the session.

Comments from Rothschild and Cervelli, via the New York Posts' Dan Martin:

... “He only threw 25 pitches,” Cervelli said. “We have to see the whole spring training.’’

... Asked what he thought of the splitter, Cervelli said: “It was good. Today was windy and a little chilly. … In spring training, we’re going to see more of Tanaka.”

... “The fastball comes out so well,” said Cervelli, who will be fighting for a backup job this spring. “His mechanics are so smooth.”

... “I think the adjustments are going to be made, it’s just a question of how long it takes,” Rothschild said. “I’m trying right now to moderate his schedule according to what he’s done in the past because he’s stayed healthy throughout his career.”

... “We’ve got plenty of time,” Rothschild said. “He’s got to get into games and into the season and [see] just how he reacts to the different schedule. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s a process.”

That process will include not only a new schedule, but a different sized ball and different mounds. As long as Tanaka continues to be open to making changes, Rothschild is confident he will be fine.

Hideki Matsui will be a spring training instructor for the Yankees. From the New York Post:

Hideki Matsui will join the Yankees as a spring-training instructor, The Post has learned. The beloved former player was scheduled to arrive in Tampa on Tuesday.

... The 39-year-old Matsui should be able to help newly signed Masahiro Tanaka in the transition from Japan to the Yankees. The two spoke briefly during the Yankees’ recruitment of Tanaka. Matsui is expected to remain with the Yankees until spring training games begin.